It's important to understand what causes anxiety as a first step in treatment.
Although the symptoms in panic attack anxiety disorder are fiercely physical - rapid heartbeat, chills and/or perspiring, trembling hands and knees, shortness of breath - the trigger originates in the brain.
Stress is an immediate factor in the brain directing the body to react as if there is an eminent danger.
The current stress may be tied to earlier instances of emotional trauma such as unresolved feelings about the death of someone dear to you; a break in your feeling of security in your life such as a bad accident; any kind of abuse which has left you with lingering effects.
If you are hard-wired to always be perfect, produce perfect work, mask any feelings of imperfection or insecurity, you are particularly at risk according to studies done among people who suffer anxiety.
This pattern may have been established in childhood by parents who linked top performance with conditional love.
Biological factors also play a role.
If either of your parents suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, you are more likely to have them also.
If you recognize any of these scenarios in your life and suspect they are at the root of the debilitating anxiety and panic attacks you're having, it's very important to further understand the causes in your particular emotional and biological makeup.
You've taken the first step by reading this article.
Knowledge is power in retooling the brain to stop sending false messages of impending danger and doom.
Copyright 2009 Nick Adams